in touch, lost place 7f out, weakened 3f out
close up, ridden 4f out, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
keen tracked leader, joined leader 8f out until ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, edged left and led approaching final furlong, driven and ran on
in touch, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, joined 8f out, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, driven and ran on
always in rear, ridden 4f out, never a factor
It's over two years since GOGEO landed a novice hurdle at Doncaster in very good style. He'd also won on the Flat there and with Alan Swinbank perfectly capable of getting one ready after a break he can start making up for lost time. Dynastic was having his first start on the surface when landing a handicap a month ago under Laura Barry, who takes the ride again. Her 7lb claim is a major plus and her mount looks a threat. Brockfield has had just two runs on an artificial surface, scoring over the track and trip two years ago and finishing runner-up at Wolverhampton last month. He's on a fair mark and can get involved while Mediterranean Sea is just 1lb higher than when scoring here in February, his fifth victory on the track.
Mediterranean Sea (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Honoured (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Gogeo (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Led, headed approaching 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 14l behind Lexington Bay (8-8) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Sep '11.
Triple Eight (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 15th of 18, 45l behind Dark Ruler (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Brockfield 12-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lean On Pete (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Dame Nellie Melba 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 17l behind Diamond Mine (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Dynastic 10-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway from 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov beating Lookbeforeyouleap (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Returntobrecongill 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 12, 11l behind Chrissycross (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Everlasting Light 25-1 (8-11) Held up behind in touch, chased leaders briefly over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 17l behind Lean On Pete (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.